Welcome to the premiere resource for property listings and information on Washington County! As one of Minnesota's original nine counties, Washington County is located on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. It is composed of about 423 square miles of land and is home to approximately 229,000 people.

Mostly known for being the home of Afton Alps, one of the largest ski resorts in the Midwest, Afton is a thriving Washington County community that still maintains a touch of rural charm and character. Its location on a small bay where Valley Creek pours into the St. Croix River is perfect for anybody who might be looking for a scenic location right next to the water, while its close proximity to I-94 also makes it convenient for daily commuters into the Twin Cities. Learn More

Located just 15 miles south of St. Paul, Cottage Grove is a fast-growing suburb that offers much more than just a typical bedroom community. Along with plenty of terrific housing options, Cottage Grove also features two community golf courses, 30 community parks, over 45 miles of recreational trails, and a tight-knit community feel in its most authentic sense. Learn More

A medium-sized town with a population of right around 20,000 people, Forest Lake is one of those places that offers home buyers plenty of community amenities and attractions without the headaches that coincide with a bigger city. And because it's virtually surrounded by several prominent Washington County lakes, it's the perfect place to invest in a seasonal residence or somewhere to live all year long. Learn More

A medium-sized town with a population of right around 20,000 people, Forest Lake is one of those places that offers home buyers plenty of community amenities and attractions without the headaches that coincide with a bigger city. And because it's virtually surrounded by several prominent Washington County lakes, it's the perfect place to invest in a seasonal residence or somewhere to live all year long. Learn More

Having gotten its name from nearby Lake Elmo, the city of Lake Elmo is a sleepy Washington County community that's defined by its quiet, rural feel. Much of the city limits still consist of farmland and just west of town lies the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, which is a scenic, 2,165 acre nature preserve that features camping, boating, hiking trails, and various other outdoor recreational amenities. So if you're looking for a little peace and quiet where you live, Lake Elmo may just be the perfect place to begin your home search. Learn More

Despite a population of only around 18,600 residents, Stillwater is one of Minnesota's most recognizable towns, largely because of its historic downtown and ideal location right alongside the St. Croix River. Routinely named one of the most beautiful places to live in the entire Midwest, there's certainly a lot to love about calling this charming Washington County town home, starting with its stunning natural landscape. Stillwater is also the acting county seat for Washington County as well. Learn More

Despite a population of only around 18,600 residents, Stillwater is one of Minnesota's most recognizable towns, largely because of its historic downtown and ideal location right alongside the St. Croix River. Routinely named one of the most beautiful places to live in the entire Midwest, there's certainly a lot to love about calling this charming Washington County town home, starting with its stunning natural landscape. Stillwater is also the acting county seat for Washington County as well. Learn More

Praise From Past Clients

Ryan T.

"In March 2005 I relocated because of a job to the Twin Cities from Sioux Falls and needed a good realtor that knew the Minneapolis St Paul market well. My sister recommended using Brandon Hedges and Matt Barker. As far as selling my home in Sioux Falls, I rented that home out to some tenants, so...

Steve H. And Alyssa P.

"It was a pleasure working with the Barker & Hedges Team while purchasing our first home. They clearly showed the experience one expects from a real estate TEAM. They made the whole process fun and exciting!"

Chris S.

Matt and Brandon were great. My wife has very particular likes and dislikes when it comes to homes and they were very patient. On two occasions, they were able to find exactly what we were looking for. In the case of our condo, it was basically finding a needle in a hay stack, but they managed to...

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Living in Washington County

Officially established in 1849, Minnesota’s Washington County is actually relatively small in terms of total area, only spanning about 423 square miles, which makes it the state’s fifth smallest county in terms of area. Even still, well over 200,000 people call Washington County home today, which ironically, also makes it the fifth most populous county in the state. Stillwater acts as the county seat in Washington County, which is also one of the area’s most recognizable cities as well. Known for its stunning natural beauty and historic downtown, Stillwater in many ways is the perfect community to represent this thriving part of Minnesota, not to mention a pretty fun place to visit too, just in case you’re not quite ready to make a move.

Life in Washington County largely revolves around a few major lakes and of course the picturesque St. Croix River over on the state’s western edge. Truly offering home owners some of the best fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation in the entire Midwest, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do when living in Washington County, even despite a large portion of it being little more than wide open country and farmland.

Most of the towns around White Bear Lake like Dellwood, Birchwood Village, Mahtomedi, and the actual city of White Bear Lake have a unique, resort-town-like feel that’s clearly evident during the summer months of the year. Although summer homes and cottages make up a huge part of the local real estate market around these parts, each of these communities have since developed into terrific places to live all year long as well. The same can be said for a number of cities along St. Croix River, although to a bit lesser extent due to this part of Washington County being a bit further from both St. Paul and Minneapolis. But with still so many opportunities to enjoy being out on the water, real estate in places like Stillwater, Bayport, and Lakeland is still highly sought after by local home buyers, and especially to those who value a low-key, laid-back waterfront lifestyle.

Other attractions and regional destinations in Washington County include Afton Alps Ski Area, which is widely considered to be one of the best ski resorts in the Midwest, and both Afton State Park and William O’Brien State Park, which both feature plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, bird watching stations, and even some equestrian trails for anybody who enjoys horseback riding. The Gateway State Trail also runs through much of Washington County, which is a paved mixed-use trail that’s perfect for the avid bicyclist, runner, or jogger.